Brussels, 14/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the European Commission adopted a communication and a draft regulation on anti-personnel mines - the aim being to create a single and coherent framework for the action of the EU and Member States in the matter, as well as to ensure a follow-up to the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines.
The Commission proposes that the level of financing of EU actions against anti-personnel mines be maintained in future, which would represent some 180 million euro for the period 2000-2006. The Commission proposes that, with this in mind, a budget heading specifically dedicated to these actions be created, which would complement credits drawn the different "geographic" headings (those for countries or regions in which the EU is conducting programmes against anti-personnel mines). Beyond this budgetary aspect, the Commission suggests target dates for the elimination of mines existing in the different parts of the world. According to Commissioner Patten, this should be achieved in 10 to 15 years.
The draft regulation aims to provide the Union with a single legal basis facilitating decision-taking, with specific procedures in case of emergency.